Rosemary Fitzpatrickhttp://homernews.com/do/not/override/panel/taxonomy/term/21081/2
enAutumn of 2014: Don’t ever forget ithttp://homernews.com/homer-news/business/2014-10-08/autumn-of-2014-don%E2%80%99t-ever-forget-it
<p class="p1">Forty-two years of gardening in Alaska and I have never seen an October like this one. Yes, there was a touch of snow mixed with Sunday afternoon’s rain. But the flowers are still lovely, still setting buds, still thriving, still making my heart sing. This has been a growing season to remember, to hold close to my heart in the dead of winter.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-news/business/2014-10-08/autumn-of-2014-don%E2%80%99t-ever-forget-it" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-news/business/2014-10-08/autumn-of-2014-don%E2%80%99t-ever-forget-it#commentsBusinessRosemary FitzpatrickAgricultureAlaskaAnnual plantArtichokeAsteriskBiologyBotanyBrusselsBusinessBusinessCaliforniafoodforwardHuman InterestHuman InterestThat plantThe greenhouseTulipWed, 08 Oct 2014 19:50:05 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick15042 at http://homernews.comNot too early to ponder next year’s gardenhttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-09-10/not-too-early-to-ponder-next-year%E2%80%99s-garden
<p>I just finished a charming book: “Beatrix Potter’s Gardening Life” by Marta McDowell. The second half gave me food for thought. It went into detail about her garden, the quintessential cottage garden that England is known for and many of us strive to achieve. <br />With the moon near full, I found myself sleepless at 3 a.m. and took to my gardening book shelf. You would think that as our growing season winds down, this would not be the time to plan for next season. Au contraire.</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-09-10/not-too-early-to-ponder-next-year%E2%80%99s-garden" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-09-10/not-too-early-to-ponder-next-year%E2%80%99s-garden#commentsGardenRosemary FitzpatrickA cottageAmpAsteriskBotanyBridal BouquetCaliforniaCottage gardenEntertainmentEntertainmentFlorafoodGardeningHuman InterestHuman InterestHydrangeaLand managementLois HoleMarta McDowellRosa RomanticaRosemary FitzpatrickWed, 10 Sep 2014 20:23:52 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick14771 at http://homernews.comSummer produces veritable berry heavenhttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-08-27/summer-produces-veritable-berry-heaven
<p class="p1">The strawberries are setting fruit — again. I really am impressed by the quantity of berries that John harvested from our two beds. We haven’t had strawberries the likes of this in many years. So I had to ask him the obvious: “Are you man enough to keep picking berries?”&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-08-27/summer-produces-veritable-berry-heaven" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-08-27/summer-produces-veritable-berry-heaven#commentsGardenRosemary FitzpatrickAlbumAmpBrusselsGarden strawberryHuman InterestHuman InterestNew YorkQuotation markSyracuseTechnologyTechnologyWed, 27 Aug 2014 22:54:34 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick14639 at http://homernews.comWhat a summer — birds, grands, peonieshttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-07-16/what-a-summer-%E2%80%94-birds-grands-peonies
<p>Birds! Hummingbirds to be exact. Never ever have we had them stay around like this. Usually we catch a glimpse and are delighted, but this season they are here for the long haul. We have even heard them “talking” to each other — they sound like a cartoon bird. We have at least a pair and maybe two others. What fun!</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-07-16/what-a-summer-%E2%80%94-birds-grands-peonies" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-07-16/what-a-summer-%E2%80%94-birds-grands-peonies#commentsGardenRosemary FitzpatrickAgricultureAndreaBiologyBotanyCauliflowerContact DetailsDebra PrinzingGardeningHummingbirdNora BarlowPollinatorsWed, 16 Jul 2014 22:32:18 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick14328 at http://homernews.comRain or shine, make time for garden party http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-06-18/rain-or-shine-make-time-for-garden-party
<p class="p1">Mysterious weather. On Sunday morning, with rain threatening, I watered. Even though we had a deluge the day before the ground really isn’t all that wet. Go look. Stick your finger down in there and see what you come up with. It is still dry.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p3">So watering is on my agenda. The gray sky did not produce any rain and the weather reports don’t seem to offer any accuracy. Looking out the window still seems like the best bet. We’ll see what the future brings.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-06-18/rain-or-shine-make-time-for-garden-party" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-06-18/rain-or-shine-make-time-for-garden-party#commentsGardenRosemary Fitzpatrick4th of JulyAmpAsteriskEntertainmentEntertainmentHuman InterestHuman InterestLanguageLinguisticsMacronPunctuationTheresa BugnetWed, 18 Jun 2014 20:18:21 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick14106 at http://homernews.comWeeding, watering: Opportunities to see what’s happeninghttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-06-05/weeding-watering-opportunities-to-see-what%E2%80%99s-happening
<p class="p1">I was recently asked a very simple question: What is the best thing happening in your garden right now? Without missing a beat I replied: My husband. There is never a simple answer ... .</p>
<p class="p3">* * *</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-06-05/weeding-watering-opportunities-to-see-what%E2%80%99s-happening" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-06-05/weeding-watering-opportunities-to-see-what%E2%80%99s-happening#commentsGardenRosemary FitzpatrickAgricultureCompostingEnvironmentGarden pestsJanice SchofieldLand managementmetalMulchOrganic gardeningSustainable gardeningWater conservationWeedWeed controlThu, 05 Jun 2014 20:10:48 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick14018 at http://homernews.comGardening reminder: Make yourself happy http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-05-21/gardening-reminder-make-yourself-happy
<p class="p1">Zounds! It is late Saturday and I have spent the day stuffing every available space in the perennial beds with annuals. I know, don’t plant out your tender starts on a sunny day, but there hasn’t been anything else so one needs to get the job done, and done it is. What a relief.</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-05-21/gardening-reminder-make-yourself-happy" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-05-21/gardening-reminder-make-yourself-happy#commentsGardenOutdoor FeaturesRosemary FitzpatrickWed, 21 May 2014 20:11:00 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick13853 at http://homernews.comFour thoughts for beginning gardenershttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-05-07/four-thoughts-for-beginning-gardeners
<p>My mind is jam packed with worry about you new gardeners. You are at the forefront of my thought process. What to do about you? <br />All of this mental agitation has been instigated by my neighbors who have moved one lot over into a new house with so very much gardening potential. They invited me over to give them some tips. I quickly realized that they would get more out of me by visiting my garden and bearing witness to my mistakes. They got the point and altered their plans. <br />But what about you? Well, I decided to give you a list of thoughts to mull over.</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-05-07/four-thoughts-for-beginning-gardeners" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-05-07/four-thoughts-for-beginning-gardeners#commentsGardenRosemary FitzpatrickEntertainmentEntertainmentGrasslandsHuman InterestHuman InterestLawnWed, 07 May 2014 21:51:01 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick13756 at http://homernews.comGet your ducks in a row, be ready to planthttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-04-23/get-your-ducks-in-a-row-be-ready-to-plant
<p>This is the very most excellent time of year. <br />I found myself in the unenviable position of cooling my heels in a waiting room, on a beautiful afternoon no less. No one wants this experience, but there I was. As I settled down to read a time-worn and uninteresting magazine I noticed that the conversation among these strangers was in full swing. And it was all about gardens.&nbsp; Keep in mind these people had zero connection to each other — except the same waiting room. <br />The topic was tomatoes and these three people were comparing notes</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-04-23/get-your-ducks-in-a-row-be-ready-to-plant" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-04-23/get-your-ducks-in-a-row-be-ready-to-plant#commentsGardenRosemary FitzpatrickAgricultureAlliumAmpAmurBotanyBrusselsCrocusFlowersGarlicHuman InterestHuman InterestLand managementRaised bed gardeningreceptionistSpicesSustainable agricultureThe greenhouseWed, 23 Apr 2014 23:27:25 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick13648 at http://homernews.comGardener’s mantra: Be patient, spring is cominghttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-04-02/gardener%E2%80%99s-mantra-be-patient-spring-is-coming
<p class="p1">What a glorious day.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1">The heat has been turned on in the greenhouse and the high/low thermometer is in place. If the heaters are holding the temperature no lower than 40 to 45 degrees, I will set out the tomatoes, cucumbers, artichokes, leeks and odds and ends of flowers that are thriving in the guest room. I can hardly wait, once these seedlings hit the greenhouse there is no looking back — we are on our way.</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-04-02/gardener%E2%80%99s-mantra-be-patient-spring-is-coming" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-04-02/gardener%E2%80%99s-mantra-be-patient-spring-is-coming#commentsGardenRosemary FitzpatrickAgricultureAmpCucumbergardenerLand managementLandscapeMulchPruningSeattleVine trainingWed, 02 Apr 2014 21:51:35 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick13457 at http://homernews.comDon’t overthink it, just gardenhttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-03-12/don%E2%80%99t-overthink-it-just-garden
<p class="p1">Be prepared to shift your expectations. Anything can happen in March: single digits, a ton of snow, wind. Name it, and be ready. I won’t turn the heat on in the greenhouse until the first week in April. In the meantime, all the starts are under lights in the guest room. Good thing there aren’t any guests.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-03-12/don%E2%80%99t-overthink-it-just-garden" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-03-12/don%E2%80%99t-overthink-it-just-garden#commentsGardenOutdoor FeaturesRosemary FitzpatrickAmpBiologyBrassica oleraceaBrusselsBrussels sproutHeartHuman InterestHuman InterestWed, 12 Mar 2014 20:48:11 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick13292 at http://homernews.comGardening season begins in earnesthttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-02-26/gardening-season-begins-in-earnest
<p class="p1">February. The days are certainly noticeably longer. The weather certainly noticeably strange. Winter started three weeks ago. Does this mean that it will last until the end of July? &nbsp;</p>
<p class="p3">What to do?&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p3">Pull out your begonias, fuchsias and geraniums and get on with it. &nbsp;Now.</p>
<p class="p3">These stored plants will need a good soak and a sunny, clean window. Thankfully I washed said window when the temps were in the 40s.</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-02-26/gardening-season-begins-in-earnest" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2014-02-26/gardening-season-begins-in-earnest#commentsGardenOutdoor FeaturesRosemary FitzpatrickAgricultureAmpBegoniaCommon SenseFlower boxFlowersGreenhouseHuman InterestHuman InterestLand managementLandscape architecturePansyTomatoViolaWed, 26 Feb 2014 21:51:53 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick13151 at http://homernews.comWinter: Time to plan for next gardening seasonhttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2013-10-31/winter-time-to-plan-for-next-gardening-season
<p class="p1">Yes, I am still watering the window box. Yes, I regret pulling the tuber begonias out of said box weeks and weeks ago. They are now in forced retirement. Not a place they want to be.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1">They were thriving, blooming, happy as can be and what did I do? Consigned them to the basement, solitary confinement. They are still trying to accept their cruel fate.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p1">Once they have dried I will pull them from their pots, remove the soil, and put each tuber into a brown paper bag and — well, wish them luck.&nbsp;</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2013-10-31/winter-time-to-plan-for-next-gardening-season" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2013-10-31/winter-time-to-plan-for-next-gardening-season#commentsGardenRosemary FitzpatrickAgricultureAgroecologyAmpAsteriskCompostDashHuman InterestHuman InterestLand managementmetaloilPunctuationThu, 31 Oct 2013 19:26:56 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick12228 at http://homernews.comKale finds place in garden, freezerhttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2013-09-18/kale-finds-place-in-garden-freezer
<p class="p1">I have embraced kale. Last growing season I started four plants by directly seeding them into the plot. It was a very long time before I got anything that looked productive. By then I was not all that interested. But this year I set out four strong seedlings, conferred with friends who are believers and now have four kale nubs out in the garden. I researched the nutritional value of kale and had every intention of sharing that with you but, hey, the list of benefits is long and, actually, somewhat boring. My interest is that it’s tasty.</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2013-09-18/kale-finds-place-in-garden-freezer" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2013-09-18/kale-finds-place-in-garden-freezer#commentsGardenRosemary FitzpatrickAmpBrusselsCabbagefoodFood and drinkHospitalityHospitalityHuman InterestHuman InterestKaleLeaf vegetablesLeekOregonRefrigeratorThe greenhousethe Homer NewsThu, 19 Sep 2013 00:02:23 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick11847 at http://homernews.comNo slugs devouring this Homer gardenhttp://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2013-09-05/no-slugs-devouring-this-homer-garden
<p class="p1">Slugs? Slugs? What slugs? There aren’t any in this garden. They must be in yours. Or, better yet, the ice sheet of winter past got the best of them.&nbsp;</p>
<p class="p3">This is the first time at this site that my garden is not being devoured by these mollusks. I like it. Not only is the garden free of them, but they are not crawling up the side of the house and the windows, leaving very stubborn slime trails.</p>
<p><a href="http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2013-09-05/no-slugs-devouring-this-homer-garden" target="_blank">read more</a></p>http://homernews.com/homer-features/garden/2013-09-05/no-slugs-devouring-this-homer-garden#commentsGardenRosemary FitzpatrickAgricultureAmpAmurAnnual plantBeekeepingBiologyBotanyFlowersGrave accentHuman InterestHuman InterestI plantPollinatorsSlugTulipThu, 05 Sep 2013 15:03:35 +0000Rosemary Fitzpatrick11747 at http://homernews.com